Shopping
is one of Edinburgh’s main attractions and the city is so compact
that a huge variety of specialist shops and department stores are within
easy walking distance of each other, right in the heart of Scotland’s
historic capital. Most visitors head first to Princes Street,
the magnetic centre of the city, with a single sided row of shops looking
across to immaculately kept gardens at the foot of the impressive Edinburgh
Castle. A break for coffee in one of the hotels or shops, an Edinburgh
tradition, affords even better views. The most historical venue however,
is Romanes and Paterson, the speciality woollen shop, famous
for its Sir Walter Scott traditional tea-room.
From the House of Fraser department store at the west end, a
favoured meeting point, to the St James Centre at the foot of
Calton Hill, Princes Street is packed with familiar High Street multiples.
Yet alongside Russell & Bromley, Marks and Spencer, Burberrys,
The Body Shop and other well-known names, is a shop you will find
in no other city – Jenners. This is the oldest independent
department store in the world and a firm favourite with locals and visitors
for its wide range of high quality goods. John Lewis, Scotland’s
largest department store, in the nearby St James Centre, also has a
good selection of gifts.
Also located on Princes Street is Debenhams, a national department
store with a reputation for quality throughout its vast range of goods.
Another notable spot to visit is Princes Mall which is located
directly adjacent to Waverley railway station, with entrances either
off Waverley steps, or from Princes Street. This bright, airy centre
has over sixty shops offering a contemporary selection of fashion and
gifts, set to a backdrop of colourful banners, gunmetal finishes and
state of the art lighting. Names such as Oasis, Warehouse, Morgan, Jeffrey
Rogers, Jones Bootmaker and Benetton offer up to the minute fashions
with other outlets offering similar lifestyle accessories, not to mention
dozens of places to find the more interesting gift. Alternatively, just
soak up the atmosphere and enjoy a bite of lunch in one of the centre's
eateries.
